Kern COG lays out transit focus at Chamber Luncheon

Representatives from the Kern Council of Governments, an organization that tries to address the county’s transportation and roadway needs, presented a workshop at the Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon on Wednesday.

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By Cheeto Barreraeditor@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Cheeto Barreraeditor@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:15 PM
Updated Dec 12, 2012 at 8:17 PM

By Cheeto Barreraeditor@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:15 PM
Updated Dec 12, 2012 at 8:17 PM

Representatives from the Kern Council of Governments, an organization that tries to address the county’s transportation and roadway needs, presented a workshop at the Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon on Wednesday.

The workshop highlighted the Directions to 2050 project that will attempt to address the transportation needs of the county by brainstorming strategies to achieve those goals.

Kern COG is working with communities to determine where the transportation priorities of the residents actually are — whether it is through more road work, better public transportation systems, meeting energy needs and more — and address those priorities in a manner consistent with what the residents want to see.

Those at the Chamber Luncheon got the chance to take part in focus group survey where the tables received a laptop to help prioritize where they wanted to see money spent.

The survey asked participants to decide on six of nine categories they felt were most important to them.

Priorities included increased public safety, increased street repair, reduced government regulation and better water quality.

Then, they were asked to allocate funds based on five areas: Street maintenance, bike and pedestrian paths, widening of highways for better access to trucks, encouragement of carpools and public transportation options.

Kern COG already anticipates $2.2 billion in funds to be available for projects countywide by 2035, but participants could elect to allocate more funds based on their priorities. Certain lists could easily approach $5 billion or more.

Based on the data collected from Ridgecrest residents already, they are seeking projects over the next 37-plus years that will total $3.463 billion.

As is consistent with recent pushes on the city level and with the passage of Measure L, Ridgecrest area residents wanted a high amount of funds to be focused on street repair. Next was bicycle and pedestrian paths followed by public transit. Lower on the list were widening of highways and encouragement of carpools.

Countywide, based on data available on Kern COG’s website, residents want $3.062 billion in projects with bikes and public transit topping the bill. Road repairs and maintenance was lower on the list than Ridgecrest, but still significantly high.

Locals can take part in the survey by playing Kern COG’s game online at www.directionsto2050.com.

There you can find more information about exactly what Directions to 2050 is and where informational meetings will be held.

The Directions to 2050 was born from the Regional Transportation Plan and is tied closely to the Kern Regional Blueprint.

Blueprint intended to bring land use and transportation planning closer together.

According to the presentation, land use was usually planned out first, followed by transportation needs separately. On occasion, transit plans were worked out followed by land use issues.

Page 2 of 2 - This project will attempt to bring those two processes together so they are considered at the same time.

Such plans can be centered around bringing in stronger economic growth, usually around shopping or other businesses and figuring out how best to bring people to and from that area of town.

The presentation concluded with a rendering of what Ridgecrest could look like if it received a major overhaul. A video was shown that has already been a major part in the Old Town Action Plan Committee process that has a significant modernization of Balsam Street, China Lake Boulevard and Ridgecrest Boulevard.

The plan is just a concept for now and relies heavily on private investment to achieve.